Wow. I have to say this has been the first episode of Top Chef Las Vegas where I was actually on the edge of my seat and cared about who won or lost. It also showed us that maybe nice guys do finish last.
For the Quickfire, we saw the cheftestants divided into two teams of four and they had to compete in a blindfolded and gagged (no talking) relay race to complete a dish. Though the blue team, lead by Ceveech (Jen), didn't really work cohesively for their dish they seemed to pull it off and take the win. I'm sure this added fuel to Angry Bro's (Mike V.) fire to kick their asses in the Restaurant Wars Elimination Challenge.
At the beginning of the Restaurant Wars challenge, I really believe it was up in the air as to who would take the win. Though by service time, we had a much better idea of who would be on the chopping block. The red team, though led by a cruel tyrant, Mike V., bickering like school children, took their heated passion and directed it into their food - coming out on top and taking the win. Success stemmed from the leaders this episode and Ceveech's stressing out (again) really took a toll on her team. Everyone on the blue team were just too nice and agreeable, leaving no one really in charge and a line of dishes that were ill-prepared.
In the end, Whatsherface (Laurine) was spared another grueling week on the show - as the majority of Top Chef fans probably wanted and/or predicted at the beginning of the episode. And then there were seven.
I hope that the action and excitement carries over into next week because this season has been blander than Jersey Mike's dish that he served to Padma last night. Next week we get to see the cheftestants' "oh shit" faces when they receive their orders from Natalie Portman - Super Vegan Challenge! What will Redbeard cook - tofu bacon?
Podcast highlights: We rag on the show's fashion foibles, comparing the V. Brothers to characters in a Jane Austen novel, the Top Chef Las Vegas drinking game, and Jeff gives us more intriguing information as to the possible winner (no spoilers, though).
Hear the hilarious podcast after the jump:
